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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, England need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by an exceptional player

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia and all three games were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after the 2009 series on home soil

England won, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

On nought not out following the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|